DAR ES SALAAM: YESTERDAY it was reported that the third phase of the Productive Social Safety Net (PSSN III) under the Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF) will start early next year, targeting more than 500,000 vulnerable households across the country.
Minister of State in the President’s Office (Public Service Management and Good Governance), Mr Ridhiwani Kikwete was quoted saying that the programme will commence following the completion of PSSN II in September this year.
PSSN is a development approach used in the country that combines direct support like cash transfers with investments in human capital (health, education) and livelihoods (skills, assets) for poor households.
It aims to boost income, consumption and resilience to shocks, effectively breaking the cycle of poverty by empowering people to become self-sufficient, not just reliant on aid.
It moves beyond traditional handouts by integrating interventions like public works programmes, skills training and linking families to essential services, focusing on longterm empowerment and sustainable development.
We commend the Government through TASAF for the move, because based on available resources, PSSN III will target about 575,000 of the most vulnerable households, with 500,000 expected to benefit from various economic empowerment interventions.
About 100,000 will receive capital to strengthen their businesses, including 10,000 households targeting young people.
ALSO READ: Bridges and water: How TASAF is connecting communities
That is a great move and every stakeholder should engage to support so that it is successful.
Key components and goals are integrated support that offers a package including foundational support (cash/ food) and livelihood support (training, assets).
There is human capital that protects and enhances children’s health and education through better nutrition and school attendance.
Income and consumption increase household income and ability to manage expenses and economic shocks like droughts or pandemics.
Productive elements include labor-intensive public works, connecting people to skills and supporting income generating activities.
It focuses on the poorest and most vulnerable households, often with women as primary recipients, implemented by agencies like TASAF.
Why it’s ‘productive’: The overall objective of PSSN is to increase income and consumption and improve the ability to cope with shocks among targeted vulnerable population, while enhancing and protecting the human capital of their children.
There is consolidation of integrated social safety net interventions for extremely poor and food insecure households. Kudos TASAF for work well done and going on.